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Here are the candidates running for office in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — Seven Democrats, four Republicans and two Independents have thrown their hats into the ring for the Portsmouth Town Council race this year. more

6/30/22

Fireworks will light up the East Bay sky this holiday weekend

There are four planned fireworks shows taking place this Sunday and Monday, July 3 and 4, in the East Bay region. Bristol The Bristol Fourth of July Fireworks Display is scheduled for Sunday, … more

6/30/22

Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos (left) and newly appointed Commerce Secretary Liz Tanner (she wasn’t when this photo was taken, but she is now) answer questions from the audience during a “Coffee and Commerce” event at Trafford restaurant on Friday morning.

State leaders talk slushies, mimosas, taxes and regulations

Rhode Island’s (now) Commerce Secretary and Lieutenant Governor meet with business leaders in Warren. more

By Scott Pickering | 6/29/22

Ben Humm hurls a pitch during the team’s game against Riverside on Sunday night. Humm struck out nine, walked one and allowed just four hits and two runs in six innings.

Portsmouth all-stars beat Middletown and Riverside

Great pitching, defense and timely hitting was the formula for Portsmouth Little League 12U all-stars as they shut down Middletown 5-1 at Aquidneck Field on Saturday and thwarted Riverside 5-2 at … more

Story and photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr. | 6/29/22

Portsmouth declines to issue moratorium on solar facilities

PORTSMOUTH — Despite pleas from local residents who live near approved — or once-proposed — commercial solar arrays, the Town Council Monday night declined to enforce … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/28/22

This Purple Heart sign can be found on the base of the Mt. Hope Bridge.

New signs honor Purple Heart recipients in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth is a Purple Heart town, and has the signs to prove it. The Department of Public Works recently installed four signs around town that proclaim “Purple Heart Town … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/28/22

Portsmouth’s $70M budget calls for 2.23% increase in tax rate

PORTSMOUTH — The Town Council Monday night voted unanimously to approve a budget for fiscal year 2023 that calls for a tax rate increase of about 2.23 percent. The spending plan carries a … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/27/22

Letter: Thanks to Cortvriend, Seveney for PFAS ban

To the editor, I want to thank State Rep. Terri Cortvriend (District 72-Portsmouth, Middletown) and State Sen. Jim Seveney (District 11-Bristol, Portsmouth, Tiverton), for sponsoring legislation … more

6/27/22

ACLU: With Roe overturned, what comes next for abortion rights?

The Supreme Court’s ruling today, which overturned Roe v. Wade , is nothing less than a shameful, sweeping, … more

By Jessica Arons, ACLU Senior Policy Counsel | 6/25/22

The state says visitors to Thurston Gray Pond, aka Upper Melville Pond, should be careful not to ingest water or eat fish from the pond. All recreation, including fishing, boating, and kayaking, should be avoided.

State: Avoid contact with Melville pond, Turner Reservoir

PORTSMOUTH/EAST PROVIDENCE — The R.I. Department of Health (RIDOH) and the R.I. Department of Environmental Management (DEM) are advising people to avoid contact with Thurston Gray Pond (also … more

6/24/22

Letter: An open letter to Ted Cruz of Texas

Thanks to you, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, we have the solution to school safety. One single entrance with an armed guard at his/her post. Well, by golly, this idea requires a closer … more

6/24/22

“It’s been a wonderful ride,” said retiring Portsmouth High School principal Joseph Amaral.

Retiring Portsmouth principal: ‘My whole life has been around kids’

PORTSMOUTH — When Joseph Amaral’s family first came to the United States from the Azores, he was just 5 years old. “One month later, I was in first grade and didn’t … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/23/22

Letter: Defend your neighbors, fight aquaculture proposal

To the editor: Once again, I find myself writing in defense of my Tiverton neighbors, various other local and statewide stakeholders, and the underserved communities impacted by the pending … more

6/22/22

Editorial: A bad bill for any shoreline

The Sakonnet area’s legislative delegation should hit the brakes on bills that would severely restrict oyster farms along the Sakonnet River. With the legislative session expected to adjourn … more

6/22/22

Clock ticking on Sakonnet aquaculture legislation

With the legislative session set to adjourn at the end of the week, the clock is ticking on legislation that would restrict aquaculture along the Sakonnet River, banning new oyster and other … more

By Ted Hayes | 6/22/22

The Patriots’ Kaden Kluth (left) became the first-ever boys’ New England champion from Portsmouth High School when he won the 800-meter race in a time of 1:52.45 during the New England Interscholastic Outdoor Track and Field Championship held June 11 in New Britain, Conn. At right is the second-place finisher, David Vandi of Lowell, Mass.

Kluth first male New England track champ from Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — Kaden Kluth continued his historic running season on June 11 when he became the first-ever Portsmouth High male track athlete to be crowned New England champion. more

6/21/22

Matt Chappell is running for the District 11 state Senate seat which is being vacated by James Seveney.

Matt Chappell announces run for District 11 Senate seat

PORTSMOUTH — There apparently will be a Democratic primary in the race for the Rhode Island Senate in District 11 which is being vacated by James Seveney due to retirement. This week Matt … more

6/21/22

RISPCA assists in saving 40 beagles from research facility

EAST PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island SPCA is scheduled to receive a transport of 40 beagles (15 puppies and 25 adults) today from the Humane Society of the United States. The beagles were … more

6/21/22

Letter: Plate-readers on bridge add to government surveillance

To the editor: The Portsmouth Town Council's approval last week of a plan to put license plate reading cameras at the Mt. Hope Bridge is fatally flawed, and if they are at all concerned about the … more

6/21/22

Letter: Portsmouth Democrats don't support taxpayers’ interests

To the editor: During the last 30 years of my residency in Portsmouth, my taxes have gone up every year but one. That year, a Republican council majority existed. What is it about … more

6/20/22

Cora, a pit bull mix, and Carly, a plott hound, run and play at the Portsmouth Dog Park, which will double in size and feature trails, lighting and additional parking under a plan approved by the Town Council. (File photo)

Plans afoot for Portsmouth Dog Park to double in size

PORTSMOUTH — Fido will soon have more room to roam at the Portsmouth Dog Park — a lot more. Thanks to a grant from the van Beuren Charitable Foundation (VBCF), the off-leash … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/20/22

Letter: Thanks for help replacing historic signs in Portsmouth

To the editor: A few years ago, I started a project to replace the unreadable, scratched-up historic signs at Lehigh Park and Heritage Park. I raised money from the citizens of Portsmouth, some … more

6/17/22

Portsmouth Police booking photo of Ryan Walsh, of Norton, Mass.

Man charged with distributing fentanyl within Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — A 47-year-old Massachusetts man was arrested Thursday, June 16, and charged with distributing fentanyl within Portsmouth, police said. This month, members of the Portsmouth … more

6/17/22

Here are most of the recipients of the Presidential Environmental Youth Award, who were recently honored by the School Committee. Missing from picture is Tatum Brennan, Noah and Owen Sidewand, and Cameron Davis.

Portsmouth students win Presidential Environmental award

Fifteen students at Portsmouth Middle School have been won the Presidential Environmental Youth Award, which recognizes outstanding stewardship projects and positive community … more

6/16/22

Automated license plate readers will soon be installed on both sides of the Mt. Hope Bridge to assist police in their response time to prevent suicides.

License plate readers on bridge OK’d to aid in suicide prevention

PORTSMOUTH — Despite concerns about increasing government surveillance, the Town Council Monday night voted 5-1 to approve a one-year pilot program to install automative license plate readers … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/14/22